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The ‘I Hear You’ project is a video series that highlights the real life, word-for-word stories of refugees from around the world. As they are unable to tell their stories publicly, 14 celebrities interpretate their words. Watch the videos and hear their heartbreaking stories.

In Rwanda, 45% of people live in poverty and rely on small-scale farming. There is no gas or electricity so women and their children spend hours every day collecting water and firewood, which traps them in a cycle of poverty. We contributed to a biogas digester project that is changing many families' lives and contributes to reduce inequality for women. Find out how.

The global economy is broken. 8 billionaires own the same wealth as half the world’s population. Meanwhile, every day 1 in 9 people go to bed hungry. It doesn’t have to be this way. We can choose another future. Join us and demand an economy that works for everyone and not just the few. Share this video and sign the petition.

Andrew, once an industrious farmer from Pulka, Borno Estate, in Nigeria, found his life turned upside down when he was caught up in the conflict with Boko Haram and other armed groups in 2012. He and his family are becoming resilient and have learned to adapt to the challenges thanks to an "Unconditional Cash Program" supported by Oxfam.

Millions of people are being forced from their homes, risking everything to escape conflict, disaster, poverty or hunger. From those fleeing the war in Syria or climate change-induced droughts, to those stranded in inadequate conditions in Europe, you can help us give life-saving support to refugees in the countries where they need it most.

With no end in sight to the conflict in Syria, hundreds of thousands of people are living in desperate conditions and exposed to continuing violence. Today, half the pre-conflict population of 22 million Syrians have fled their homes and more than 13.5 million people urgently need your help.

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People in Gaza trapped with nowhere safe to escape

"The terrible toll on civilians is shocking. Hospitals and water supplies are under massive strain and the needs are increasing by the day."

Nishant Pandey

Head of Oxfam in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel

Oxfam delivers water to families sheltering from the violence

More than 120,000 people have now fled their homes but have nowhere safe to go. With exit through Israel closed under the long-term blockade, and the border with Egypt shut, most people are prevented from escaping the violence.

The past few days have been the deadliest yet in Gaza, with civilians including women and children making up the vast majority of casualties, and on average a child being killed every hour in Gaza. Rockets continue to be fired from Gaza into Israel.

People have been warned to leave nearly half of Gaza's small territory as airstrikes intensify. However, with bombing and fighting taking place across all of Gaza there is simply nowhere safe for people to go to. Thousands of displaced families are sheltering in school buildings, although at least 85 schools have also been damaged in the past two weeks.

Um Mohammed Al Azazma, a mother of eight, told Oxfam: "Everyone was running and scared while carrying their children and the tank shells falling around us. I had to jump over dead bodies in the streets. The schools were full and we ended up in a church. My children are scared and we try to convince ourselves that we are in a safe place, but there is no safe place in Gaza right now. The only thing we need is to be safe in our homes."

Conditions in the schools are becoming increasingly desperate, with clean water, food and shelter running perilously low. Oxfam is trucking vital supplies of safe water to 19,000 people sheltering in schools, a church and a mosque. Oxfam is also delivering water to Al Shifa hospital, which has seen a massive influx of civilian casualties in the past few days, including many women and children. Hospitals and health facilities have themselves been hit and seriously damaged.

"The terrible toll on civilians is shocking. Hospitals and water supplies are under massive strain and the needs are increasing by the day. People are fleeing terrified. Normally in crises like this we would see an exodus of people escaping the violence, but in Gaza there is no safe place for them to go. For years the blockade has prevented most people from leaving Gaza, restricted trade and devastated the economy. Lasting peace and security for both sides means ending the blockade and the collective punishment of people in Gaza," said Nishant Pandey, head of Oxfam in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel.

Damage to water and electricity systems has disrupted the supply of water to over 1 million people. Destruction of sanitation plants risks raw sewage contaminating the water and increasing the risk of disease. Only half of Gaza's sewage plants are now working. Most of Gaza is now only receiving power for four hours a day or less.

The ongoing violence and intensive airstrikes makes it extremely difficult and dangerous to deliver aid to people, despite the growing needs. Many Oxfam staff and partners have themselves been affected by the violence and have had to leave their homes.

Oxfam condemns violence against civilians by all sides, including Israeli military actions and Palestinian rocket fire. We urge the international community to do much more to push for a lasting ceasefire that ends the blockade and addresses the root causes of the conflict.

Notes to editors

Oxfam has staff in Gaza and Jerusalem who can do interviews in English, Arabic, French, Spanish, Italian and Dutch.

Contact information

For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:Alun McDonald, Media and Communications Coordinator, Oxfam in OPTI+972546395002 (Jerusalem) +972592992208 (West Bank and Gaza) or Alun.McDonald@oxfamnovib.nl

Working with Israeli and Palestinian partner organizations, Oxfam aims to improve the lives of poor and marginalized Palestinians living in Gaza and the West Bank. Why is Oxfam against settlements? Does Oxfam support a boycott of Israel? Read the answers and learn more about our position on the conflict.

In the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) - the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip -, nearly a quarter of the people live below the poverty line, with their prospects for work, and a safe, healthy life severely limited by Israeli occupation.

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